[Simon]

So according to quite a few last minute rumors both the MB and the MBP will see updates today. Aparently the new multitouch trackpad will come to both product lines. I'm guessing this is the reason why the MB is being updated so soon (it was refreshed in November). The MBP OTOH is due for an update.

These specs sound interesting:
Macbook - 13" 2.1GHz / 1GB / 120GB / Combo / White
Macbook - 13" 2.4GHz / 2GB / 160GB / Super / White
Macbook - 13" 2.4GHz / 2GB / 250GB / Super / Black
Macbook Pro - 15" 2.4GHz / 2GB / 200GB 5400RPM / 256MB
Macbook Pro - 15" 2.5GHz / 2GB / 250GB 5400RPM / 512MB
Macbook Pro - 17" 2.5GHz / 2GB / 250GB 5400RPM / 512MB

2GB RAM on all but the lowest end MB was due.

The T8100 and T8300 on the MBs make sense since they come with only half the L2 cache (3 MB vs. 6MB) and hence are quite a bit cheaper. I find it rather surprising though that Apple is going for the T8300 and T9300 on the 15" MB rather than using the T9300 and T9500 (2.6 GHz). Unless the low-end 15" comes down in price this is going to be a bad offer. Due to the small cache you get a significantly weaker CPU whereas previously the difference was only 200 MHz.

If the low-end MBP stays at $1999 it will be very hard to recommend it over the $1299 MB (same CPU, same clock, same RAM) or the much better $2499 MBP (significantly faster CPU, more VRAM, bigger/faster disk).

I'm wondering why Apple thinks it makes more sense to offer a weaker MBP than a beefier MB (MB with dedicated GPU/VRAM). I'm guessing it's all about revenue. Personally, I'd rather see an improved MB than a castrated MBP.

Of course these rumors could also turn out to be bogus. In a few hours we'll now for sure.

[kiskynet]

Apple Store Down - not long now

[Simon]

Wow, they're early today!

[Zeeb]

They have taken the Apple store down early on Tuesday the past 3 weeks in a row. They made minor tweaks in each case and lowered the price of the shuffle once I believe. Still, we'll see! I'm hoping.

[mattyb]

I must say that I find it deeply inconsiderate that the store is down for so long. I have sweet FA to do during my last week at work and its really winding me up that I cannot dream about owning the latest and greatest because I don't know what the latest and greatest is yet !!!

I have found since switching that being an Apple fan is extremely difficult, especially around MacWorld / WWDC / Store Closed time.

[Christopera]

They are up. Interestingly, the apple remote is now an option...Maybe they did that on the last revision I don't know. An extra 2Gb of ram is only $400. HAHA. I don't see the multi-touch on the MB but do on the MBP. Am I missing something?

[Kenstee]

They're here..........

The Apple Store (U.S.) - MacBook Pro

[Simon]

So the HardMac specs were right...

I still have trouble understanding how Apple could use the same Penryn on the low-end MBP as on the MB. The lack of L2 cache is going to be noticeable. I cannot suggest the $1999 MBP to anybody when the $2499 MBP offers so much more now.

[mduell]

Minor drop-in upgrades all around, which explains how they did both at the same time.

The distance between the $1299 MacBook and $1999 MacBook Pro is surprisingly small; screen size and GPU is really it.
I don't find the $2499 MacBook Pro to be a compelling buy... 100Mhz, 3MB L2, 50GB, and some VRAM that it probably can't make effective use of given the performance of the 8600M (if it was the 8800M it could be a different story).

Apple really used the opportunity to improve their margins on the CPUs; 2.5 and 2.6 are the same price as the old 2.2 and 2.4.

[Simon]

From the other thread

low-end 15" $1999: T7500 $316 (at launch) -> T8300 $241
high-end 15" $2499: T7700 $530 (at launch) -> T9300 $316

Since there's also a T9500 at 2.6 GHz for $530 that would have been the apprpriate CPU for the 17" and high-end 15". Instead Apple chose to sell us that CPU as a $250 BTO option.

[hedmisten]

why would you not want the remote...thats part of the fun

[Simon]

They added the remote so everybody got used to it and explored FR. Now everybody nows about it and it's a $19 extra. From a business POV that makes sense. For most users however, $19 is certainly overpriced for such a simple remote.